Feelings

1) Did you get your feelings hurt?

Kevin Garnett doesn't want to play for the Celtics. Shawn Marion doesn't want to play for the Celtics. Do you feel like no one loves you? Buck up there buddy— you have many fine qualities and somewhere out in this great wide world, there's a special all-star waiting just for you. C'mon don't be shy, admit it: You're magnetically attractive given the right circumstances— and just because Garnett and Marion love someone else doesn't mean that there isn't a quick shifty guard, or a fleet multi-talented wing player, or a hulking yet skilled center who wants to be with your franchise and only your franchise.

Sometimes these things take time.


2) Maybe if you think about the undisputed worst song ever written, you'll feel better: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feelings_(song)

C'mon. Sing along with me. Here's some horrible lyrics from that criminally horrible song to cheer you up:

Feelings, nothing more than feelings,
trying to forget my feelings of love.
Teardrops rolling down on my face,
trying to forget my feelings of love...

Feelings, wo-wo-wo feelings, wo-wo-wo, feelings again in my arms.
Feelings...



3) Oh screw all that! Listen, you just avoided getting run over by a train. The deal falling apart is the best thing that never happened to you! You almost lost Al Jefferson, the 5th pick, AND who knows what else for a guy who has like 18% of his productive career left. To quote the great departed Red Auerbach, "Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make."

4) Speaking of that, here's a related though UNVERIFIED rumor from way back when: In the early 80's right after the huge deal in which Auerbach sent the rights to the first pick in the draft (Joe Barry Carrol) in exchange for Robert Parish and the 3rd pick (Kevin McHale), SUPPOSEDLY Red called up the Nets and asked for a trade. He was worried about Parish who had come over from Golden State with some baggage, so he asked the Nets if they'd take Parish and Tiny Archibald for Mike Newlin and Footsie Walker.

The Nets, fearful of being fleeced by Auerbach, turned him down.


5) Fortunately that rumored trade never happened. Well in my opinion the Celtics just similarly lucked out again. Because where were they going next with a depleted roster, TWO 20 million dollar guys, Brian Scalabrine and Allan Ray? To put it simply, the price was too high. Do you think Al Jefferson's value has peaked? It hasn't. He's going to get better, more productive, and MORE valuable in the next few years.

While Kevin Garnett will not.


6) Another thing was revealed by this near-deal experience. The way I read it— this is verification that Wyc, Steve and other rich guy -whatever his name is- YES INDEED WILL spend money if they feel it elevates the team into contenders. If you're willing to have two 20 million dollar players on the roster, you're paying the luxury tax at some point. So good for you Wyc, Steve and other guy. Way to go! Way to NOT be Paul Gaston Jr.!

7) Speaking of Gaston the lesser... Where do you think he is now? Do you think he's seen the error of his ways, has given up all worldly possessions, is living in a monestary in Lowell, has taken 2 vows- one of poverty and the other of silence -and is content in spending his remaining days in silent contemplation of his numerous sins against the glorious green franchise?

My guess: probably not. But you never know...


8) So maybe we're back to drafting instead of trading. Good! Heres' a tidbit from NewsOK.com:

"One day after working out for the Atlanta Hawks, Texas A&M's All-American point guard Acie Law on Thursday pulled out of his scheduled workout with the Hornets, which was to be held today at an Edmond fitness center.'

If true, that means Law will be chosen by Atlanta at spot 11, which in turn means the Hawks will go big with Horford, Wright, or maybe Yi at #3. Hmmm.

Possibly Law is the third name you can write in ink in your mock draft (along with you know who, and you know who else).


9) The last thing I want to discuss about the deal that didn't happen is the friendship between Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge. Obviously I have no idea of what the real conversation was, but I do know this: If I was out carousing with a buddy, having a great night, sharing some beer and laughs— AND then later when I was driving home and looked in the back seat of my car and saw a huge package— well the first thing I'd think was, "Isn't that nice. Kevin got me a gift." BUT THEN, when I stopped the car and unwrapped the package and found crappy old Marco Jaric inside, I'd be pretty pissed. Wouldn't you? I mean fun is fun, but sticking a buddy with Marco Jaric crosses the line!

Forget it Kevin. Al Jefferson is already too much to give up. And you keep your lousy overpaid Jaricy, Hudsony guards.


10) That was sure a fun 36 hour ride. Wasn't it? Now we're back where we were before: Probably drafting 5th. Maybe a trade will happen. I think the Celtics will end up with Yi.


...I hope you feel better.